.Business Obama Uses Executive Authority to Make Recess Appointment — While Senate Is Still in SessionPosted on January 4, 2012 at 1:08pm by Becket Adams Print »Email »Comments (327)Scroll down for an update to this story:

In a defiant display of executive power, President Barack Obama on Wednesday will “stick his thumb in the eye” of GOP opposition and name Richard Cordray as the nation’s chief consumer watchdog. Outraged Republican leaders in Congress suggested that courts would determine the appointment was illegal.

But why are Republican leaders outraged at this recess appointment? Well, mostly because the Senate is still in session.

Although President Obama has constitutional power to make appointments during a congressional recess, Republicans have moved to keep that from happening by having the Senate running in “pro forma” sessions, meaning open for business in name with no actual business planned.